Monday 6 May 2013

A lovely walk and a bit of extreme lying down!

 We had a fabulous walk today. The weather was glorious and the wild flowers were breathtaking. We went to Linacre reservoirs near Chesterfield again. I have always visited there in the Autumn, but never in Spring before. A friend had said there were lots of bluebells there, so we thought we would check it out.

First of all we came across thousands of wood anemones, and this was where I started my extreme lying down. I am using a phrase introduced to me and Meg by my niece. For those of you who aren't familiar with the pastime, it is where you lie down with you camera to get a real close up, but show the surroundings out of focus (depth of field comes into it somewhere! - Thanks Faith, was struggling to find the words!). I'd better show you some of the pictures.

 What the photo doesn't capture is the way they seem to shiver in the breeze. Such beautiful delicate flowers.
Next we saw dog-violets.
Judging by the number we saw and the number in our garden I think it must be a good year for violets!
 There was a carpet of wood sorrel on the north side of the reservoirs, and quite a few lesser celandines as well.

 By one of the inlets there was an abundance of Marsh Marigolds too.
We saw some places where there were blue bells coming but not out yet, so I took a photo of some new beech leaves

Finally we found some bluebells that were out.
  I will leave you with a very subtle portrait of my hubby,
and a portrait of Meg
Hope you enjoyed our walk as much as we did! Thanks for looking!

16 comments:

craftimamma said...

What a lovely post Sally. Your photos are absolutely breathtaking and I have certainly enjoyed them. I wonder if I can persuade OH to go there one day soon. Trouble is walking is getting a bit on the uncomfortable side for him (rheumatoid arthritis is taking hold :( ). Still you never know we might be able to manage part of it.

Thanks for sharing your pics though.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

Hi Sally, I feel as if I have just taken an invigorating walk through an enchanted forest! The detail on the flowers is amazing - they really pop out from the background.

Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Sylvia xx

Lynne K said...

Wow, stunning photos, Sally! Glad you had a good walk. x PS. Love the photo of Steve!

Anke said...

Oh Sally your photos are so beautiful, I love walking and the nature.

Hugs
Anke

Suzi B said...

Goegeous photos Sally and snap! excuse the pun, I was also out walking yesterday in the garden of Rode Hall, my first visit. i also took photographs of the emeging bluebells but there're a bit pathetic... I'll have to try the extreme lying down idea, mind you I might never get up again :)
Suzi B x

lisa said...

I feel I've been on the walk with you, Sally. What beautiful photos. I shall have to try extreme lying down next time I'm out, the results are beautiful. Bluebell woods are just the most special thing aren't they. Ours are just coming out round about.
Hugs Lisax

Paula (PEP) said...

Super Sally - I did something similar with R yesterday along Brecon Canal. The huge bumble bee (red rump) wouldn't stay still long enough for the camera. I've got a number of floral photos to try to identify & thanks to you I've done the Dog Violet (loads & loads of those in our woodland).
Paula (PEP)

Paula (PEP) said...

PS - isn't extreme lying down such a wonderful pastime?
Funnily I was thinking of you as I wielded the camera yesterday....... knowing you'd understand that little bit of thrill that the natural world through a lens creates.
Paula (PEP)

Di said...

Fabulous photos Sally - thanks for letting us join your walk! I'm with the commenter who said they wouldn't be able to get up again :)

Hugs, Di xx

Tracy Harris said...

Looks a lovely place Sally - some great pictures using some fantastic depth of field work x I especially like the one with your husband in the background x the colours of the blue bell are so bright. Looks like you had a good day xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Hi Sally, sorry long time no visit, but I have caught up with all your FABULOUS cards and beautiful photographs.

I must try the lying down, perhaps that's why I get so much more in mine, I don't lie down, however If I do I can't get up again LOL.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos with us Sally! The extreme lying down certainly paid off, but how were you getting up again?! I'm afraid I'd still be lying there now, lol!
xxx

Sue said...

Gorgeous photographs Sally, what beautiful surrounding and your Meg is a stunner. Love Steve's portrait (if that were Neil he'd be looking at his watch by now lol) x

Carola Bartz said...

Such lovely photos, Sally - I love them. I wish I was with you on your walk, we could do the "extreme lying down" together. I often do that, if not too many people are around and think I'm completely bonkers! In the desert, where you can't always lie down (because of cactus spikes on the ground etc.) I also just lower my camera and "shoot blind" - often with quite stunning results.

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting these fantastic photos of your walk and all the beautiful wild flowers. I feel like I have been for a walk in the woods and it was wonderful! Maddy x

Linby said...

Wonderful photos,lying down has certainly captured the flowers well, however, I would be scared of not getting up again!
Lynnx